Manolescus Memoiren (1920)

The Romanian Georges Manolescu, a bon vivant and Bohemian, has made a name for himself as a thief, con artist, and gentleman crook. Wherever this worldly and decidedly charming rogue appears, he makes a big haul. His very name strikes fear and terror in Europe’s grand hotels. Together with his accomplice and occasional lover, Diane von Montignan—sophisticated in appearance, seductive in manner, unscrupulous by nature, and ice-cold in her actions—he has already set his sights on a new victim: the elderly but fabulously wealthy Russian Countess Anastasia Worutzky. But then everything changes abruptly: Under dramatic circumstances, Manolescu meets a young blonde woman. Her name is Cäcilie, and she saves him in every sense. The police are already on Manolescu’s trail when he hastily seeks refuge in some random room in the hotel where he is once again out hunting for a score. There, the master thief encounters Cäcilie, and in a very short time comes to trust her deeply. Manolescu confesses his true identity to her. The young woman promises to take care of him from then on and accompany him on his path back to an honest life. Eventually, this deep trust develops into profound love. For Cäcilie’s sake, Manolescu gives up his criminal activities and places himself in the hands of the justice system. They plan to build a life together after his release from prison.